2018-07-03_PERMIT FILE - M2018016 (7)

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RECEIVE® 6/10/2018 To Colorado State Agencies and Clear Creek County Agencies: JUL 0 3 2018 DIVISION OF RECLAMAVOU Subject: Permit#M2018016 Douglas Mountain Mine Project MININO AND SAFMy My name is Stephen H. Newton I am a resident of Clear Creek County. I am part of a group of concerned citizens who are in opposition to the development of a strip mining operation in our county. I would like to share my concerns and objections regarding the proposed development of the Douglas Mountain Mining Operation in Clear Creek County which would be located at or near Section 28,Township 3S, Range74W,6th Principle Meridian in Clear Creek County: namely Empire Junction and westward to the town of Empire. Water Issues: Here are just a few of the detrimental effects of this 150 acre,200 feet deep gravel pit operation. This proposed operation will damage/deplete the local water systems of Bard Creek, Mad Creek and Clear Creek.The water table on the plateau is also very shallow thereby contaminating groundwater and natural springs. The amount of water needed to run this type of operation would be astronomical. We are constantly in the midst of a drought here in Colorado and the foreseeable future looks no better.As populations in the area continue to grow the increased demand for water in Clear Creek County and onward to the Front Range will only increase.Allocating millions of gallons yearly for a strip mining operation is inappropriate and wasteful. Wildlife Issues: Wildlife in the area would be extremely affected. Land erosion would be significant potentially contaminating Clear Creek with toxic soil and chemicals thereby disturbing/destroying the fish habitat which includes the endangered Greenback cutthroat that have been reintroduced to this area. The wildlife that lives on/near the plateau would be devastated and potentially destroyed. Elk, deer, moose and bear roam this plateau. Also thriving in this area is a substantial Big Horn Sheep population whose range and migratory patterns are well documented in the recent Colorado Parks and Wildlife report entitled "Population Estimation,Survival Estimation and Range Delineation for the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep herd"dated Sept. 2015. This is the largest Big Horn Sheep population in the nation, not to mention our State animal. Do you really want to jeopardize their existence by allowing the development of a mining operation in the midst of their habitat? Air Pollution Issues: The air pollution due to the massive amount of dust entering the environment through the strip mining operation and the hundreds of trucks daily transporting materials would cause health issues for many residents. In particular, the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village Camp is directly across the highway from this potential strip mining operation. The dust and other pollutants will negatively affect the 1200+campers with special needs that attend this camp to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and the clean fresh air. Many of these individuals deal with respiratory issues. Is jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of this sensitive population and the potential closing of this Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village camp that was established in 1951 worth the risk? The Douglas Mountain Mine development would destroy the only plateau in Clear Creek County! Our State and County is in need of a positive, echo friendly,tourism friendly and wildlife friendly use for this land. Please, I am asking you to deny the establishment of the Douglas Mountain Mine. t rds, h `� S Newton 1 Bard Creek Road PO-Box 62 Empire, CO 80438 Hudson3452@ Gmail.com Cc: Department of Reclamation Mining and Safety, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Board of supervisors—Soil and Conservation District,State Board of Land Commissioners, U.S. Army Core of Engineers,Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Division of Water Resources,Air Pollution Control Division,Clear Creek County Planning Commission,Clear Creek County Commissioners, .